SOLUTION: The legs of an isosceles triangle are 14 inches. The altitude to the base is 10 inches. What is the length of the base?

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Question 833846: The legs of an isosceles triangle are 14 inches. The altitude to the base is 10 inches. What is the length of the base?
Answer by nerdybill(7384) About Me  (Show Source):
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The legs of an isosceles triangle are 14 inches. The altitude to the base is 10 inches. What is the length of the base?
The altitude of an isosceles triangle will divide the base in half.
Let x = length of base
then applying Pythagorean theorem we have
(x/2)^2 + 10^2 = 14^2
x^2/4 + 100 = 196
x^2/4 = 96
x^2 = 384
x+=+sqrt%28384%29
x+=+sqrt%288%2A8%2A6%29
x+=+8sqrt%286%29 exact value
or approximately:
x = 19.60 inches